Bawk & Roll

Picking up where Chicken Dance (2009) left off, this sequel finds talented hens Marge and Lola heading out on tour as backup singers for their idol, Elvis Poultry. Stage fright proves to be an ongoing problem—“The chickens trembled. They fanned their wattles. They... fainted”—but they conquer it with a little help from their friends. Santat is clearly having a blast with the material: his spreads are packed with jokes and asides, his Elvis impersonation is spot-on, and Marge and Lola are a comedic vision in their Vegas showgirl–style costumes. There are a few minor hiccups (the hens’ skydiving mishap is inscrutable), but they hardly detract from this punny, rocking romp. Ages 4–7. Agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (Apr.)